What New-to-You Beauty Product Are You Loving?

Nov 1, 2021

Maybe this is just a symptom of being old-ish and stuck in my ways, but I rarely go looking for new beauty products these days.  In my twenties and early-thirties, I haunted the Sephora and Ulta new arrivals.  I pulled pages from magazines.  But now, my skin is in a good place, my makeup routine suits me, and unless I think something is going to be a dramatic improvement over the current state-of-play, I’m not particularly interested.  But a few products have stumbled into my life recently, and they deserve a mention.

A few weeks ago, I wore a mini-dress for the first time in seven years.  It was a real vote of self-confidence in a pandemic world where tacos have formed the foundation of my food pyramid.  But such a short skirt required that I moderate the bright whiteness of the skin on my legs.  Gone are the days when I would head to the tanning booth for such an endeavor (sorry, skin cells for all that UV drama), but self-tanner is always in play.

Meet Tanologist Face and Body Drops.  Mix these babies in with your favorite body lotion, smear on with the separately purchased mitt for flawless application, and just wait for the color to appear.  I bought the medium, which on my pale olive skin looked natural.  If I wanted a tanned look, I would have gone for the deep.

Tanologist also offers a wide range of self-tanning products that are far cheaper than St. Tropez, but seem to work just as well.  A friend highly recommends (really swears by) their Tanning Water and 360 Spray Bottle.

I was really happy with this product, especially since I could control the depth of the tan by adding drops to my body lotion.  It developed quickly, so I didn’t have to wait overnight.  And it didn’t stain my clothing or sheets.

This is a rediscovery of a product that I loved, misplaced somewhere, and found again.  The Finishing Touch electric facial hair razor is the perfect thing for those of use who have hair growing in unexpected places thanks to age.  (I’m like one year away from being the Bearded Lady at an old-timey carnival.)  For under-$20, I can trim off unwanted facial hair before applying my makeup.  Don’t need an electric device?  I buy these Tinkle razors for removing neck hair, but be forewarned, if you have a male partner, he’s gonna steal them.

What beauty products are you loving right now?  Whether they’re new, new-to-you, or a recent rediscovery, leave them in the comments.

{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author. this blog is a shopstyle and amazon affiliate.}

Beauty

share this post

Leave a Reply to KV Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Chelsea says:

    I bought the Finishing Touch years ago on your recommendation and love it. It finally broke last month so your link is timely. The extra hair that comes with my late 30s sure does make applying make up different. I look forward to what everyone else is excited about!

  2. Heather says:

    Peter Thomas Roth Potent Vitamin C serum. It’s $98 (I snagged for $55 recently during a Ulta Beauty Day sale) and smells like hot dogs, but my god, nothing brightens instantly like that (and I’ve tried a ton of vitamin c products). My super sensitive skin also tolerates really well too. As soon as I use up all the random products on my shelves, I’m going to use nothing but this and a retonid till the end of time.

    • Monica T says:

      Seconding this! I have settled on a PTR routine and it works so well for my sensitive skin. Their Vitamin-C and Pro line are amazing and don’t make me break out when almost everything does. Watch for the Sephora sale starting Friday for Rouge members, up to 20% off.

  3. Noelle says:

    Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue has been fantastic during the pandemic. It is a tinted moisturizer that has enough coverage to look good on a Zoom meeting (and you can build it up a bit like foundation), but it’s light enough for every day use and weekends. I love being able to use it alone instead of a moisturizer/primer/foundation.

    Also, for people interested in clean beauty, I’ve been really impressed with Pacifica and Acure for low/mid-cost products. Pacifica’s mascara is great but I’ve liked all the products I’ve tried. Acure has the best clean shampoo I’ve found and I love their Radically Rejuvenating facial scrub with red clay.

    • Betsy says:

      Came to recommend the Pacifica mascara! I got a free sample at Whole Foods and was an instant convert. Goes on so smooth and is a great everyday product for me!

  4. Danielle says:

    A facialist recommended this to me – I’ve been using for 6 weeks (nightly with a cleansing balm) and my skin feels incredibly smooth. I’ve paired it with some Biossance products (eye cream, lactic acid serum + rose oil) and I’ve never gotten so many compliments on my skin.
    https://www.sephora.com/product/foreo-luna-trade-play-plus-2-P474830?skuId=2486421&icid2=restock_past_purchases:p474830:product

    • Kelly says:

      I was going to rec the Lactic Acid serum as well! I had some weird texture going on, and it’s basically gone now.

      Do you use the rose oil in the AM or PM? I’ve mostly been doing PM since it’s a little greasy, and am probably going to PM only now that I’m heading back to an office.

  5. KV says:

    I fell hard for the Youth to the People Superfood Kale Cleanser. It leaves my face feeling stripped and clean (I know some people don’t like that stripped feeling). I’m on my second bottle and it’s expensive!

  6. cEECEE says:

    Herbivore Blue Tansy Mask is “Holy Grail” level – perfect for skin that’s starting to show it’s age…not drying….it’s hard to explain, but it’s PERFECT!!!

  7. Mandi says:

    I discovered Marie Veronique products last year. They are expensive, but wonderful quality and no questionable ingredients like synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde releasera, etc. My favorite at the moment is the probiotic exfoliating mask. I can wash it off and see a difference in my skin immediately.

  8. Michelle says:

    After cutting my hair to a pixie cut I’ve been experimenting with different products and really love R + Co Sand Castle Dry Texture Creme.

    A lot of the pomades and texturizing pastes I tried felt too stiff but the Sand Castle Creme is perfect to keep everything in place while light.

  9. Eleni says:

    BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner Serum. I’m on my 3rd bottle and it’s the only vitamin C that I have used and visibly see a difference in my skin’s texture and dark spots.

  10. Justyna says:

    Ohhhh! My time to shine!

    I am loving the Nuderma High Frequency Wand. I use it with the PTR Cucumber Mask and my skin breaks out less and is more hydrated.

    The Dermaflash Dermaplaning tool is amazing too. Not sure how it compares to manual facial razors but my skin glows after I use this. It’s actually time for me to use it again!

    I also just bought the Gugug Skin Scrubber and am excited to use it.

    Now that it’s fall I’m excited to start using my HigherDOSE’s Sauna Blanket more regularly. This has been a life saver. Over the summer I tripped over my large dog and fell on my extended arm and was extremely sore. I popped in the blanket and after 15 min all my soreness was gone, I honestly still can’t believe it. I’m also dealing with mercury poisoning and thyroid issues at the moment so it will aid in getting my body rid of those toxins.

    For my body, nearing 40 I realized I should probably take better care of my body skin. I started using Nubian Heritage Shea Butter and Aloe Fragrance Free Body Wash and my skin is soooo soft. Even now that the air is dry. I also switched to non fragranced and exfoliating body treatment – AmLactin Lotion followed by CeraVe body lotion. I have gotten compliments about how soft my skin is 🙂

  11. Caro says:

    Debated for months, and finally bought (I think Grace Atwood did a rec, and then a friend was raving) the Neocutis LUMIÈRE FIRM Illuminating Tightening Eye Cream. It is astonishingly expensive, but Dermstore sells it and it is usually eligible for deals (it also lasts a long time; 4 months of nightly use and I doubt I’m even halfway through). Has absolutely helped with the skin under and around my eyes, as well as the dreaded bags – it’s the best eye cream I’ve ever used. I also love that it’s a pump and I’m not dipping my finger into the cream as well.

    I will also sing the praises of Megababe products to anyone who will listen. I love their thigh chafe stick and always have a backup on hand, and their body dust is excellent – back of the knee, small of the back, under the bust – anywhere you tend to get a little sweaty, it helps a ton.

  12. Erica says:

    Sunday Riley’s skincare line (lactic acid, vitamin c, eye cream, and retinoid) has changed the appearance of my skin in less than a month of consistent use. I am break-out prone with combination, dull skin that is starting to age as I approach mid-30s, and I can report no breakouts and for the first time, I am confident going on Zoom sans makeup! A little pricey but when it works this well it’s worth it to my budget.

    Also, I have a super hard time finding foundation that matches my skin and doesn’t cause breakouts. There are even some lines of makeup that do not carry a color that matches my skin, and I had resorted to blending my own. That is until Il Makiage was advertised to me incessantly on social and I finally gave in. All I can say is WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG!? The foundation wears nicely all day without caking or getting greasy and it matches me perfectly. No breakouts after using about half the bottle.

  13. Lauren says:

    Okay, I really think my mom needs the finishing touch gadget. Any suggestions on how I can politely gift it to her!? She can’t see the fine hairs around her chin but I always notice them!

    And the Good Light Skincare is my hands down favorite skincare discovery of the past year. Introduced to them through the “Glossangeles” podcast. I’m on the second bottle of the toner and will definitely repurchase. The toner and serum are good — will likely repurchase those, too but less fanatical. The quality of the products for the price can’t be beat. I order direct from them but Soko Glam also carries it — and they’re doing a 30% off sale, too.

  14. AM says:

    After giving up hope that anything would help with the one super-painful cystic pimple I get like clockwork the week before my period, I found the Renee Rouleau anti-bump solution. If you get hormonal acne, this stuff is absolutely worth the money – and it does last a long time since it’s a spot treatment. I tell anyone who will listen because it was seriously a game changer for me!

  15. HANNAH says:

    I have been loving Inphenom shampoo ever since seeing it on Jess Graves’ love list with SuChin Pak. She promised no frizz, and boy, did it deliver. I have fine yet frizzy and floofy curly hair and it held up to the Atlanta humidity and rain. And it smells amazing.

  16. Annie Q says:

    Duri Rejuvacote will make your nails strong even if nothing else has ever worked. Mine peeled, tore, and broke and always looked ragged and ugly. With Rejuvacote, they are strong and hard and never peel, and they grow like weeds.

  17. JennY says:

    Hi Abra,

    Have you found a replacement for the Marc Jacobs blush? I was so sad when it was discontinued but I have enough of a stockpile that I haven’t had to branch out with something new yet. Thank you!

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

1

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

6

READ MORE 

The Range: Printed Shirt Dresses

If you’re preparing your wardrobe for the warmer weather, don’t sleep on shirt dresses. Casual when worn with sandals or sneaker, dressy with flats or heels, they’re great for any work situation. They’re a great piece that you can throw on any time you need to look pulled together. Here are a few choices.

6

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Beauty, Top Posts | March 27, 2024

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

1

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 27, 2024

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

6

READ MORE 

Features, Posts, The Range | March 26, 2024

The Range: Printed Shirt Dresses

If you’re preparing your wardrobe for the warmer weather, don’t sleep on shirt dresses. Casual when worn with sandals or sneaker, dressy with flats or heels, they’re great for any work situation. They’re a great piece that you can throw on any time you need to look pulled together. Here are a few choices.

6

READ MORE 

Features, Monday Mornings, Top Posts | March 25, 2024

The Mondays: March 18, 2024

This weekend was a tricky one. The warm weather and bright sunshine of last weekend disappeared in a flurry of wet snow trapping our very active 18-month-old in the house with us. Plus, our babysitter cancelled, so neither of us feels ready for the week ahead. But in between making mac-and-cheese and watching Aristocats for […]

6

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO